My name is Greg Gadek and I am the Democratic candidate for State Senate in Mesa’s LD-25. A registered Independent for most of my life; I have lived in Mesa for more than 25 years, and raised my family here. Over the years, I have watched our city double in size, while becoming vastly more diverse. Yet the political leadership has never changed, and, lately, our leaders have become out of touch with the average person in their own community.
In this election season, we saw Russell Pearce’s appeal fade with Mesa’s leaders. So, they picked and endorsed a new heir apparent in my opponent, Bob Worsley. This is how Mesa politics traditionally has worked. Bob’s campaign manager, Ryan Anderson, explained to a local newspaper, “Once a candidate has been chosen by community leaders, that decision ripples through the church and social networks.”
While these comments are no surprise to most of us, they are a slap in the face to those who believe in the democratic process. Some consider it a foregone conclusion that the hand-selected nominee will win, especially since he has pumped $200,000 of his own personal fortune into his campaign (an Arizona primary record), but the real question is, who will be served?
I am proud to be a participating Clean Elections candidate, which includes a $670 limit on family contributions, a $150 limit from any individual, and a promise to accept no corporate or Political Action Committee donations. Mesa should not be sold to the highest bidder. Its residents deserve better.
I have been increasingly frustrated with the shift our state has taken to the extreme right, including the tone and priorities of the state legislature. They have mismanaged the state budget. In per capita spending, nationally, we rank lowest in education funding, yet highest in money spent on prisons. Additionally, the Capitol and other state buildings have been sold and leased back, a 10-year advance taken on lottery ticket sales, and the one-cent tax increase approved by voters to help our schools has been diverted.
Meanwhile, legislators have spent their time (and our money) on legalizing fireworks, advocating for guns in bars and on school campuses, and debating whether a woman is pregnant two weeks before conception. We need to change our priorities, and elect leaders who will serve the average hardworking Arizonan.
My legislative priorities would include restoring our state’s national reputation, properly funding public schools, creating good jobs here in Arizona, and making health insurance affordable for all. Specifically, I would support common sense job creation by giving Arizona companies the first crack at state and local contracts so our tax dollars create jobs here, not in India or China.
In our new Mesa District 25, Independents, Democrats and moderate Republicans outnumber ultra conservatives. If you, like me, believe in the core values of justice, equality, good citizenship and economic prosperity for all, I hope you will take the time to learn more about our campaign. This campaign is based on the ideals and principles that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and the fact no one should be disenfranchised from the political process. I am committed to serving your needs, and will stand up for what is fair.
The silent majority in Mesa has been arrogantly ignored in the past, but this year, You Have a Choice, and I am proud to be your candidate for the State Senate in LD 25.
For more information about Greg Gadek and his campaign for State Senate, as well as events, issues, or to find your polling place, visit www.Gadek2012.com, or e-mail Greg your questions at Greg@Gadek2012.com.